All set for LG polls in Balochistan on May 29

2,000 polling stations declared sensitive

QUETTA:

Local government (LG) elections are scheduled to be held in 32 districts of Balochistan on May 29 (Sunday) amid tight security arrangements.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared over 2,000 polling stations sensitive and the provincial government has enhanced security to avert any untoward incident during polling.

In Balochistan, a total of 17,774 candidates are contesting the LG elections. Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo ordered the release of Rs600 million to meet the expenses of the elections including logistics expenditures of the election staff and law enforcement agencies.

Election materials would be dispatched to all polling stations on May 28, ECP sources told The Express Tribune.

A total of 5,236 polling stations have been established across 32 districts.

A high level meeting was held here on Friday to review the security arrangements for the polls. additional chief secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohsin Hassan Butt, secretary local government, and other high-ups attended the meeting, which reviewed overall security arrangements for the upcoming polls.

For general seats, currently, 132 women candidates are also contesting in the province, the ECP sources said.

The number of male registered voters across Balochistan is 2,043,428, whereas, the number of female voters is 1,570,896.

Except for the Quetta and Lasbella districts, and some areas of Zhob and Pishin districts, LG elections are being held across the province. The ECP had delayed the elections in the above-mentioned areas because of flaws in the delimitations and delays in the formation of wards for councilors.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2022.